Egg incubating tray with rack and carrier

ABSTRACT

An egg incubating tray having egg cells arranged in a diagonal manner so that 48 cells are located on each tray. Each cell is surrounded by six upwardly disposed, tapered projections. These projections are positioned to hold the eggs and separate one egg from another and also to act as shock absorbers so that the eggs are less subject to breakage. There are also four smaller tablike projections which are horizontally disposed and extend inwardly from the sides of each egg cell. Each of these projections has a smooth convexly cornered leading edge so that there are no sharp edges extending inwardly toward the egg. The carrier consists of a rectangular metal frame having a bottom made of a group of longitudinally disposed thin, wire-like members and including two cross braces which provide for the least amount of material to obstruct the free flow of gas throughout the trays. The rack on which the carrier is placed consists of a metal rack having an end which is shaped to accomodate the carrier of this invention and includes the normal end members bent over so that they do not interfere with the present carrier and the addition of an L-shaped extending member so as to properly hold the carrier in position.

[ June 18,1974

[57] ABSTRACT Anegg incubating tray having egg cells arranged in adiagonal manner so, that 48 cellsare located CARRIER United StatesPatent [191 Levin [541 not; INCUBATING TRAY WITH RACK AND on each tray.Each cell is surrounded by six upwardly disposed,

tapered projections. These projections are positioned in another andalso to act as shock absorbers so that the eggs are y disposed ch eggcell.

onvexly corsharp edges carrier con provide for the least amount ofmaterial to obstruct the free flow of gas throughout the trays. The rackon which the carrier is placed consists of a metal rack having an endwhich is shaped to accomodate the carrier of this invention and includesthe normal end members bent over so that they do not interfere with thepresent carrier and the addition of an L-shaped extending member so asto properly hold the carrier in position.

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PATENTEDJum m4 sumac! 4 FIG. 2

Pl ik:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to egg incubating andparticularly to an egg incubating tray, the carrier on which a group ofthem are positioned and the rack on which the carrier is placed in theincubator.

In the art of egg incubation the principal desire has been to provideincubation equipment that will result in the maximum amount of hatchedeggs, that is, the least amount of eggs that break during incubation andalso the maximum amount of eggs that can be positioned in theincubator.There have been many attempts to place more and more eggs in theincubator and at the same time prevent the breakage of eggs duringincubation. However, at the present time thetray that can hold the mosteggs can only hold 36 eggs in a square box-type pattern, as 'shown byU.S. Pat. No. 3,147,738, Thelig. This box-like pattern is extremelylimiting and also does not adequately overcome the breakage problem.Firstly, there are only four projections surrounding each egg. Theprojections,because of the layout of the egg cells, form a square-likepattern. This does not conform to the general round shape of the egg,and can presentproblems during incubation. Moreimportantly, thehorizontally disposedprojections surrounding each egg, that is,projections 45 in Thelig, are concavely rounded. This provides tworather sharp points at each end of the projection. These points will digin and .canbreak the eggs. The concavity must be exactly the same shapeas the curvature of the egg for these projections towork, and since inthe usual case, the egg will be slightly different in shape than theconcavity, the two points will act as spears andtend to rupture the egg.

" Thus, an egg incubating tray having the properprojections to supportand cradle the egg is most important.

Also, the carrier for the tray shouldprovide for the proper circulationof gases through and around the egg trays and the racks'on which the eggtrays are posi tioned in the incubator should be constructed in such amanner that it can accomodate the present size egg trays.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide egg trays having sufficientegg cellsto receive 48 eggs per tray in no more space than the present36 egg per tray devices. Also, it would be desirable if there weresufficient projections surroundingthe eggs so that the proper cradelingand shock absorbing effects were provided to prevent breakage of theeggs.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION that three trays will interfit to form thesame diagonal pattern of egg cells across the barrier. The three trayswill appear to be one continuous tray with the same large egg holdingcapacity throughout. A carrier is also provided to hold threeinterfitting trays. The carrieris constructed to provide the maximum gascirculation.

and consists of a metal frame and a group of thin wirelike strands whichserve as the base of the carrier. The carrier then fits on a rack whichconsists of a novel construction whereby a conventional rack has the endmembers bent away and an extension added on so that the carrier will fitcompletely on the rack.

The object of this invention is then to provide incubation egg trayshaving a maximum amount of egg cells for a set size, that is 48 eggcells instead of 36. It is a further object to provide an incubating eggtray having shock absorbing means for holding and cradeling the eggs sothat there is the least possible amount of breakage.

' It is a further object to provide an interfitting arrangement for theegg trays so that three egg trays will form a continuous interlockingeggtray.

"A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel carrierwhich permits the maximum circulation of gases around three interfittingegg trays.

A'still further object of the invention is to provide a rack by alteringa conventional rack to accomodate the carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a prospective viewof an egg tray.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of an egg tray. FIG. 3 illustrates abottom plan view of an egg tray.

FIG. 3a illustrates a single egg cell. FIG. 4 illustrates a stackingarrangement of the egg trays.

FIG. 7 illustrates a carrier and rack and shows their interfittingarrangement.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION cells are provided in the spacethat normally holds 36. 7

Thus, an egg tray is provided with substantially increased egg holdingcapacity. The structure inclues eight rows of cells. Each row is offsetby half the width of an egg cell from the cells in the adjacent row. Inother words, taking the row shown on the extreme left in FIG. 2, thecells in that row are offset by half the width of a cell from those inthe row immediately to its right. The same pattern exists in alleightrows of the cells. This permits cells to be provided without oneegg contacting another. The eggs will be positioned as shown in FIG. 6so that the greater circumference on one egg will not interfere with thegreater circumference of the egg adjacent to it in the next row. Forexample, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2, the egg positioned inthe top left cell will not interfere with the egg positioned in the cellimmediately to the right of it in the adjacent row, even though both ofthese eggs extend over a straight line which divides one row from thenext. If they were notin this offset arrangement the eggs wouldinterfere with each other and would break during incubation. Each of the48 egg cells has six verticalprojections surrounding it. Four of theseprojections 4, are positioned at an angle of about 30 and are isocelestriangles in shape and tapered so that the base 6 is much thicker thanthe tip 7 to provide for flexibility thereby providing shockabsorbing'qualities. When an egg is placed into a cell these projectionshave to flex so as not to injure the egg. The same shock absorption hasto take place if a tray is moved during incubation. The tips ofthe'projections are also rounded to avoid sharp points. There are alsotwo more of these projections which are positioned between egg cells inthe same row. Therefore, in a nonnal egg cell there will be sixprojections surrounding the cell positioned so as to form a circle andproperly support the egg. All six of these projections also act tosupport eggs in adjacent cells. Therefore each of these projections 4and 5 act to support two eggs. This is, of course, not true with respectto the projections on the outer periphery, that is, projections 9 and10. However other than this dual support function, these act in exactlythe same manner as the other projections. Eight of these projections onthe other periphery 12, are also structured in exactly the same mannerexcept that, instead of being positioned as the other projections, theyare cantilevered over the side of the tray for reasons that will bedescribed here inafter.

The tray itself is moulded or otherwise formed out of plastic or otherstrong material so that it comprises one integral section of material.There are two longitudinal struts l5 and 16 as shown in the bottom view,FIG. 3, which support'the structure. These are interconnected by sevenlateral struts 18. Each of these lateral struts connects struts l5 and16 together. Struts 18 are positioned sothat they define the rows of eggcells. Ribs 20 are then positioned between egg cells in the same row tointerconnect struts 18. It will be noted that as shown by FIG. 3,rectangular open areas are formed by these struts and ribs. These areascorrespond with the egg cells and thereby provide for free flow of gasesthroughout the incubation chamber. It is also noted that for the eggcells on each of the end rows, that is, theextreme left and the extremeright rows, 22 and 24, in FIG. 3, instead of a continuous strut thereare short struts which are somewhat arching in configuration fourth rowjoins strut 18. This provides for a strength ening of the projection 34.Projections 32 and 34 are also positioned so that their leading edges 36and 38 respectively are the same distance from the center of the eggcell, that is, the radius of the center of the egg cell to leading edge36 is the same as the distance to leading edge 38. This is true eventhough projection 36 are longer than projections 38. The shape of theseleading edges is quite important. Each of them has a flat centralsection 40 and two curved radii 42. (See FIG. 3a). This prevents anysharp edges fron contacting the egg. It is also important that all fourprojections extend a finite distance from the sides and are shaped liketabs to provide the requisite amount of flexibility. If they were notflexible they might rupture the shell of an egg as it was dropped orplaced into its egg cell. Thus, these four projections act not only tohold the eggs but also as shock absorbers to prevent the rupture of theegg when it is placed into the cell. Along this line, it will beappreciated that when the eggs are placed in the cells, they areinvariably dropped a short distance in the cell. Thus, it is quiteimportant to have this shock absorbing quality aforementioned.

There are four areas in the egg tray that are filled with plastic toprovide strength for the tray. These areas are 44, 46, 48 and 50. Thereare also four large tubular supports 52 which extend vertically from theegg tray. These supports are cylindrical and taper slightly from a widerbase to a slightly smaller flat tip 54, and are hollow to provide theleast weight. They are positioned so that one each are in the second rowfrom the left and the second row from the right as shown in FIG. 2, andone each are in the third row from the left and the third row from thright as shown in FIG. 2.

Underneath each of these supports is a small recess 56 and also a shortstrut adjacent to the opening 58 to reinforce the areas surrounding thesupports. The supports are provided so that, as shown in FIG. '4, theegg comprised of two short members 26 and 27 which are at about an angleof 30 with respect to struts 18 and a straight strut parallel to 18, 28.This latter strut 28 has a reinforcing section 30 to strengthen it.These struts form a jagged structure so that one tray can interfit withthe next as shown in FIG. 5, and as will be described in more detailhereinafter. Projections 4 are positioned on struts l8, and projections12 are positioned in the cantilevered manner aforementioned, on strutsl5 and 16.

To further support the eggs four horizontal projections are positionedaround each egg cell. These consist of projections 32 which extend fromribs 20 and projecthe rib 20 between the first and second cells in thetrays can be stacked on each other. When they are thus stacked, the tips54 fit into the recesses 56 so as to provide for a secure stackingarrangement. It will be appreciated that the length of supports 52 issuch'that they are longer than the maximum length of the eggs, as shownby dotted lines 53 so that they do not permit the eggs in one tray tocontact and possibly rupture the" eggs in the next tray.

One of the more significant features of these supports asaforementioned, is their placement. By placing two of the supports inthe second rows and two in the third rows from the edges, the weight ofthe eggs and trays is distributed so that there is no sagging of thecenter of a tray. Such sagging could possibly result in the bottom ofone tray contacting the eggs on the tray below. It is noted that byplacing the supports in the second and third rows, the weight will beevenly balanced throughout each tray.

As previously discussed the two jagged edges 29 and 31 of the egg trayare designed so that the one egg tray can interfit with the next to forma continuous egg tray. This is especially important for conservingspace. In this interfitting arrangement, as shown more clearly in FIG.5, the egg cells in one tray, tray 60, the lower tray in FIG. 5,interfit with the cells in 61 so that the same diagonal pattern of cellsis continuous between egg trays. While the vertical projections 4 and 5at the edges of each tray do not actually support the eggs in theadjacent trays, they do contact each other to provide increased supportand strength to the tray and also so that the least amount of space isused. It will be appreciated that as shown in FIG. 5, struts 27 contacteach other and struts 28 form almost a substantially straight linebetween the two trays. This also strangthens the trays and also leads toa substantial reduction in space. In fact, the construction is such thatthere is almost no lost space.

Three trays of eggs are interfitted as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and thenplaced on a carrier 62 as shown in FIG. 6. Carrier 62 comprises arectangular frame 64 preferably made of metal or other strong material;The

frame consists of two longitudinal L-shaped members 66 and 68 whichinterconnect by means of two short L-shaped members 69 and 70 to form arectangular configuration. Two short flat bracing members 72 arepositioned between the horizontal sections of members 66 and 68 tofurther hold them together. These members curve slightly upwardly attheir ends 74 to overlap the horizontal sections of channels 66 and 68.There are also a group of thin cylindrical wire-like members 76, 78 andwhich act to provide further support for the egg trays when the eggtrays are positioned in the carrier. These members are eight in number,six of them (76) being positioned proximate the center of the carrierand two 78 and 80 being positioned proximate members 66 and 68. Thiswill leave the entire bottom of the carrier substantially open so thatthere can be a free flow of gases around the egg trays duringincubation.

There is also a handle 82 which is substantially rectangular in shapeand being slightly bent outwardly to provide for easy grasping. Itincludes an L-shaped section 84 which is attached to the tray, avertical member 86 extending therefrom and a C-shaped grasping section88 connected to a vertical member 86. The other side of the handleincludes an L-shaped member 89 connected to member 89 and also tograsping section 88 and including a section of metal 92 connectedthereto.

It will be appreciated that, as formerly mentioned, projections 12 arepositioned in a cantilever manner so that, as shown in FIG. 6, the trayor especially straight edges 45 and 47 of the tray will contact theinner surfaces 65 and 67 of the carrier. Cantilever projections 12 willthen extend so that they rest on top edge 63and e 61- of members 66 and68 and do 'not take up space in the inside of the carrier itself. Thisconserves the available space so that the maximum amount of egg cellscan be provided in the trays. The carrier will then fit into a rack 94also shown in FIG. 7. Rack 94 includes two L-shaped longitudinal members96 and 98 and a single L-shaped bracing member 100 which interconnectthe two members 96 and 98 at one end thereof. This member 100 includestwo extending sections 102 and 104 to which members 96 and 98 areconnected by welding or other suitable fastening means. The other end ofthe rack includes a horizontally disposed flat member 108 which connectsthe horizontal parts of members 96 and 98 together and is fastenedthereto by welding or other suitable fastening means. Two uprightmembers 110 and 111 are fastened to the outside of members 96 and 98.These upright members are planer and each has a projecting triangulartab 112 and 113 with a bolt 114 and 115 respectively extendingtherefrom. There is also an L-shaped member 116 having a flat portion118 which is fastened by rivets or other suitable fastening means tomember 108. The vertically extending portion 120 of member 116 extendsoutwardly beyond the outer edge 109 of section 108. Vertical section 120then projects upwardly at a distance from the outer edge 109 of section108.

The conventional racks have sections 112 and 113 bent inwardly and donot have member 116 and therefore cannot accomodate the carrier andtrays shown herein. However, the rack shown herein solves this problem.i

It will be appreciated that the trays, carrier and rack disclosed hereinwill fit within the normal incubator and therefore will provide forincubation of substantially more eggs than cannow be accomplished.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described it willbe appreciated that many modifications thereon may be made by oneskilled in the art which falls within the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. An egg tray comprising a plurality of parallel struts a plurality ofribs interconnecting said struts to define a plurality of parallel rowsof egg cells, said ribs being positioned between said struts tolongitudinally offset the cells in one row by half the distance betweenthe ribs from the egg cells in the proximate row six tapered verticallydisposed projections mounted around said egg cells on said struts andsaid ribs to aid in supporting an egg and act as a shock absorber forthe egg, and

four horizontally disposed tab-like projections mounted on said cellsand extending inwardly from said struts and said ribs to support theegg, said projections having smooth straight leading edges with convexlyrounded corners at the ends of the leading edges, whereby the'shape ofthese projections avoids pointed structures from contacting the eggplaced in the egg cells.

2. The egg tray of claim 1 wherein there are eight parallel rows of eggcells with six cells in each row.

3. The egg tray of claim 2 wherein four of said tapered verticallydisposed projections are mounted two on each of two proximate struts andat an angle with respect to each other and to the axis of each strut andwherein the other two tapered vertically disposed projections aremounted on said ribs parallel to the axis of said ribs, said verticallydisposed projections forming a circular array and adapted to support asingle egg, each of said projections adapted to aid in supporting twodifferent eggs in adjacent egg cells, said vertically disposedprojections mounted on the struts adapted to support eggs in egg cellsin proximate rows and each of said vertically disposed projectionsmounted on said ribs adapted tosupport eggs in adjacent cells in thesame row.

4. The egg tray of claim 3 wherein two-of said rows are positionedadjacent two edges of said tray, said edges being indented proximate tothe location of said ribs and at an angle corresponding to the angle atwhich said vertically disposed projections are mounted, said other twoedges of said egg tray being straight.

5. The egg tray of claim 4 including four vertically disposedcylindrical supports two of which are mounted in two rows proximate the:two rows which are positioned on the rows proximate rows in the centerof the tray, said supports are tapered and disposed along the straightedges of said tray.

6. The egg tray of claim wherein said indentations permit trays tointerfit without significant loss of space.

7. The egg tray of claim 6 wherein circular cells are provided in saidtray to receive the tops of said supports so that said trays can bestacked on each other.

8. The egg tray of claim 7 wherein two of said horizontally disposedprojections extend from said ribs and two extend from said struts, allthe projections having leading edges and two side edges to provideflexibility,

the leading edges being disposed the same radial disdisposed parallel tosaid londitudinal members and connecting said laterally disposed membersso that the rectangular area is unobstructed to permit the free flow ofgas around said trays during incubation of eggs therein.

11. A rack for a carrier which is adapted to hold egg trays comprisingtwo longitudinally disposed L-shaped support members having first andsecond ends a laterally disposed end member interconnecting first endsof said longitudinally disposed members a laterally disposed flatsupport member interconnecting said second ends of said longitudinallydisposed members, and

an L-shaped stop member having two flat perpendicular sections, a firstsection connected to said laterally disposed flat support member and asecond section extending upwardly therefrom and away from said laterallydisposed flat member.

12. The rack of claim 11, including two upright members fastened to thesecond ends of the two longitudinally disposed L-shaped support members,each of said upright members having a projecting tab which isperpendicular to the member, each of said tabs extending away from theother.

- UNITED STATES PA'IENI OI'TICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,8l7L2l5 Dated June '12 1074 Inventor(s) in It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 51 "inclues" should read includes-.

Column 3, line 6 "isoceles" should read -isosceles-.

Column 3, line 25, "other" should read -outer.

Column 4, line 7, after "projection" "36" should read 32-.

Column 4, line 11, after "edges" "from" should read from Column 5, line6 "strangth-" should read -strength.

Column 5, line 12, "FIG. 6" should read -FIG. 7

Column 5, line 39; "89" should read 70 Column 5, line 64, "planer"should read -p1anar.-.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer. Commissioner ofPatents FORM PC4050 uscoMM-Dc 60876-P69 U.$ GOVER'NMENT FRINT'NG DFFICE:9.5 (Iv-366 33,

1. An egg tray comprising a plurality of parallel struts a plurality of ribs interconneCting said struts to define a plurality of parallel rows of egg cells, said ribs being positioned between said struts to longitudinally offset the cells in one row by half the distance between the ribs from the egg cells in the proximate row six tapered vertically disposed projections mounted around said egg cells on said struts and said ribs to aid in supporting an egg and act as a shock absorber for the egg, and four horizontally disposed tab-like projections mounted on said cells and extending inwardly from said struts and said ribs to support the egg, said projections having smooth straight leading edges with convexly rounded corners at the ends of the leading edges, whereby the shape of these projections avoids pointed structures from contacting the egg placed in the egg cells.
 2. The egg tray of claim 1 wherein there are eight parallel rows of egg cells with six cells in each row.
 3. The egg tray of claim 2 wherein four of said tapered vertically disposed projections are mounted two on each of two proximate struts and at an angle with respect to each other and to the axis of each strut and wherein the other two tapered vertically disposed projections are mounted on said ribs parallel to the axis of said ribs, said vertically disposed projections forming a circular array and adapted to support a single egg, each of said projections adapted to aid in supporting two different eggs in adjacent egg cells, said vertically disposed projections mounted on the struts adapted to support eggs in egg cells in proximate rows and each of said vertically disposed projections mounted on said ribs adapted to support eggs in adjacent cells in the same row.
 4. The egg tray of claim 3 wherein two of said rows are positioned adjacent two edges of said tray, said edges being indented proximate to the location of said ribs and at an angle corresponding to the angle at which said vertically disposed projections are mounted, said other two edges of said egg tray being straight.
 5. The egg tray of claim 4 including four vertically disposed cylindrical supports two of which are mounted in two rows proximate the two rows which are positioned on the rows proximate rows in the center of the tray, said supports are tapered and disposed along the straight edges of said tray.
 6. The egg tray of claim 5 wherein said indentations permit trays to interfit without significant loss of space.
 7. The egg tray of claim 6 wherein circular cells are provided in said tray to receive the tops of said supports so that said trays can be stacked on each other.
 8. The egg tray of claim 7 wherein two of said horizontally disposed projections extend from said ribs and two extend from said struts, all the projections having leading edges and two side edges to provide flexibility, the leading edges being disposed the same radial distance from the center of an egg cell.
 9. The egg tray of claim 8 wherein a vertically disposed projection is cantileverly disposed over said straight edge of said tray.
 10. A carrier adapted to hold three egg trays comprising two L-shaped longitudinally disposed members two L-shaped laterally disposed members interconnecting said longitudinally disposed members to define a rectangular area connecting struts interconnecting said longitudinally disposed members, and a plurality of thin wire-like ribs being longitudinally disposed parallel to said londitudinal members and connecting said laterally disposed members so that the rectangular area is unobstructed to permit the free flow of gas around said trays during incubation of eggs therein.
 11. A rack for a carrier which is adapted to hold egg trays comprising two longitudinally disposed L-shaped support members having first and second ends a laterally disposed end member interconnecting first ends of said longitudinally disposed members a laterally disposed flat support member interconnecting said second ends of said longitudinally disposed members, and an L-Shaped stop member having two flat perpendicular sections, a first section connected to said laterally disposed flat support member and a second section extending upwardly therefrom and away from said laterally disposed flat member.
 12. The rack of claim 11, including two upright members fastened to the second ends of the two longitudinally disposed L-shaped support members, each of said upright members having a projecting tab which is perpendicular to the member, each of said tabs extending away from the other. 